Gentle Strength – The Beauty of our Burren Collection.
Delicate yet tenacious. Fresh but as old as time. The contrasting world of The Burren is in every piece of this beautiful designer collection – unique to Gleeson Goldsmiths. During the strange days of the COVID-19 lockdown, a local mother called in to our studios in Ballycasey and told us her daughter had recently relocated to London, and was beginning her medical career as a doctor at the height of the pandemic. The mother wanted something personal that would remind her daughter of home and bring her luck – and she selected a gold Burren flower pendant from our Burren collection.
Our Inspiration…
The Burren collection was inspired by the unique character of the Burren – where pretty Mediterranean and Icelandic flowers grow side by side in the Burren’s seemingly bleak terrain… Where the countryside is alive with fauna and flora, seemingly defiant of the odds presented by the harsh and rough landscape. For a young doctor missing home, facing incredible hardships through the pandemic, but holding on to the softness of home – could there possibly be a more perfect gift than a Burren flower?
The Burren – a place where softness meets tenacity and gentle blends with a fierce energy.
The Burren – or ‘place of stone’ is a haunting and dramatic Karst limestone that dates back 350 million years. Time has stopped here in this land of legend, myth and stories – and against the grey stone landscape the countryside lights up with beautiful wildflowers that grow only in this region.
Years back, this was the inspiration for Gleeson Goldsmiths Burren Collection – a selection of exclusively-designed, handmade pieces that capture the area’s strange combination of strength and fragility. The wild beauty, the vivid colours and soft petals are all beautifully captured in gold, sterling silver and delicately-designed detail.
In the Beginning…
The Collection was created by designer goldsmith Brian Gleeson, while he was working in his workshop in Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, having relocated from Dublin.
While browsing in the Castle’s shop, he picked up a book about the delicate flowers found in The Burren and was struck by their beauty born of the rugged landscape – and the Collection started to take shape. Having perfected The Burren Collection, Brian entered it into the Mid-West Crafts Competition – and took first prize. This cash windfall of a couple of thousand pounds was enough to get Brian set up in his Ballycasey studio – and the rest is history.
Browse the Full Range…
The Burren Collection includes gold and silver pendants, bracelets, rings and earrings – each piece holding the essence of The Burren at its heart. Over the years, the Collection has become much loved and sought-after – as popular here in County Clare as it is abroad as a unique gift from Ireland. One of our greatest pleasures is to see The Burren Collection given as gifts to mark life-stages and special celebrations in our customers’ lives. Many babies will be gifted an ID bracelet from the Collection at their Christening, going on to receive a piece at their First Holy Communion. With every pendant, earrings or ring – their story grows. And so does ours!
We thank The Burren for the gift of nature and inspiration.